We are devastated by the ongoing events in Afghanistan and the continued loss and suffering endured by the Afghan people. We call on the U.S. government and global community to accelerate efforts to secure safe exit pathways and broaden eligibility criteria for our Afghan allies.
In July, the U.S. government began an emergency relocation of Afghan Special Immigration Visa holders, or SIVs. SIV holders worked in some capacity for the U.S. armed forces, in Afghanistan, such as interpreters and security guards, and now face retribution for their service. SIV holders and their immediate families are entitled to the same benefits as refugees who come through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), the refugee resettlement agency for central NJ, has welcomed several Afghan SIV families this summer, along with refugees from other parts of the world, such as Syria. To support the resettlement process, One World One Love has prepared apartments for 10 families, or about 50 individuals. Nearly half have arrived in the last 2-3 weeks. The IRC anticipates arrivals of more Afghan SIVs, as well as refugees from other countries, in the coming weeks and months. One World One Love volunteers are also in touch with Afghan families who have been with us for some time, offering friendship and support during this crisis.
There are many ways you can help at this critical time.
1. The IRC asks for assistance in identifying safe, affordable housing in Union, Essex and Morris counties. Please email hello@oneworldonelovenj.org with any leads you might have.
2. Speak up for our Afghan allies. Contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to press the Biden administration to expand and expedite access to Afghan refugees. One of our partner organizations, Hearts & Homes for Refugees, has compiled this resource document for contacting representatives and signing actionable petitions.
3. Offer friendship, support and guidance to Afghans we know or who reach out to us in this time of need. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, one of the country’s oldest refugee advocacy organizations, has released this guidance document with information on how to support and advise Afghans in the U.S. and in Afghanistan.
4. Assist with SIV applications. Our partner organizations, Hearts & Homes for Refugees and Keeping Our Promise, are working together on a project to help SIV applicants with their visa processing. You can volunteer to coordinate part of it. Anyone interested can email helpinghands@heartsandhomesforrefugees.org.
5. Support One World One Love. We welcome volunteer support and in-kind donations for apartment set-ups. Please email basicneeds@oneworldonelovenj.org. In addition, we humbly ask that you consider a monetary donation to help us sustain our work. One World One Love is entirely volunteer-run. All donations go directly to purchasing items for apartment set-ups and providing essential services to the families we serve. Click here to donate now. Thank you.
4 thoughts to “Afghanistan”
My family and I live in Morris County and have some experience procuring items needed to set up household. We would like to volunteer our time doing this for your organization, if this would be helpful. We realize that you must first secure housing and learn the make up of the families you will be helping and what their specific needs are. But we are willing to do some of the leg work to get the items needed when you know what they are.
Thank you,
Jeannine Lynch
Florham Park
Hello Jeannine!
We greatly appreciate you reaching out to One World, One Love NJ and for your interest in supporting displaced families. Like you, we are devastated by the ongoing events in Afghanistan and the continued loss and suffering endured by the Afghan people. The situation remains very fluid and chaotic and the resettlement process and support needs for families both here and newly arriving are likewise in flux.
As an all volunteer organization, we thank you for your patience as we process a high volume of emails. In the meantime, please join our One World, One Love NJ Facebook Group for the latest updates and volunteer opportunities. Below is a summary of latest volunteer opportunities and ways to help:
– You can donate here https://oneworldonelovenj.org/product/help/ or share this link with others to support our efforts.
– NJ is home of one of the 4 US processing and resettlement hubs for the incoming evacuees. 1w1l is working closely with IRC and community partners scrambling to provide support. Housing is currently the most urgent need.
— If you have any leads or ideas please email us at hello@oneworldonelovenj.org .
— Volunteers who want to open their homes can sign up for AirBnB’s Open Homes program
— Ideas can be creative: dormitory style housing at independent facilities, speaking to property managers and owners, transitional/temporary housing etc.
– We also hope you can join us for a Zoom call on Thursday, September 2 at 7:00pm. We will welcome our new volunteers and update our current volunteers on the latest information regarding refugee arrivals and ways to be involved.
Meeting ID: 88036405010
Passcode: 829581
Dial in: 646-558-8656
– If you would like to help us set up apartments to welcome new families to a comfortable clean home or help with other basic needs please contact us at BasicNeeds@oneworldonelovenj.org
Thanks again for your support! If you have any further questions please reach out to us at hello@oneworldonelovenj.org
All our best,
The One World One Love Executive Team
Hello,
My wife and I would like to offer temporary housing (in our home) and/or airport welcoming, housing preparation services to any Afghan refugees needing assistance. Please let us know if we can help.
732 766 9593
Daniel DeFranco
Hello Daniel!
We greatly appreciate you reaching out to One World, One Love NJ and for your interest in supporting displaced families. Like you, we are devastated by the ongoing events in Afghanistan and the continued loss and suffering endured by the Afghan people. The situation remains very fluid and chaotic and the resettlement process and support needs for families both here and newly arriving are likewise in flux.
As an all volunteer organization, we thank you for your patience as we process a high volume of emails. In the meantime, please join our One World, One Love NJ Facebook Group for the latest updates and volunteer opportunities. Below is a summary of latest volunteer opportunities and ways to help:
– You can donate here https://oneworldonelovenj.org/product/help/ or share this link with others to support our efforts.
– NJ is home of one of the 4 US processing and resettlement hubs for the incoming evacuees. 1w1l is working closely with IRC and community partners scrambling to provide support. Housing is currently the most urgent need.
— If you have any leads or ideas please email us at hello@oneworldonelovenj.org .
— Volunteers who want to open their homes can sign up for AirBnB’s Open Homes program
— Ideas can be creative: dormitory style housing at independent facilities, speaking to property managers and owners, transitional/temporary housing etc.
– We also hope you can join us for a Zoom call on Thursday, September 2 at 7:00pm. We will welcome our new volunteers and update our current volunteers on the latest information regarding refugee arrivals and ways to be involved.
Meeting ID: 88036405010
Passcode: 829581
Dial in: 646-558-8656
– If you would like to help us set up apartments to welcome new families to a comfortable clean home or help with other basic needs please contact us at BasicNeeds@oneworldonelovenj.org
Thanks again for your support! If you have any further questions please reach out to us at hello@oneworldonelovenj.org
All our best,
The One World One Love Executive Team
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